OTD| New Zealand’s dependable top-order batter Will Young was born in 1992

New Zealand top order batter Will Young is celebrating his 31st birthday today. He has been a regular player for the Kiwis in all the formats. He was a long-time performer in domestic cricket which earned him a spot in the kiwi team and since his debut he has been featuring consistently in the New Zealand team in almost all the formats.

The Beginning

Will Young made his international debut in test cricket, in 2020. Young played his first match against the West Indies at Hamilton. He went on to become an integral part of the test setup and has been an important member for the Kiwis. 

He soon made his place in the white ball format. Young made his ODI debut against Bangladesh at Dunedin, in 2021. In the shortest format he found his place in the same year and against the same opponent. In a quick span of time Young has made himself suitable for all the formats and has been in the reckoning for a regular position in the starting lineup in all three of them.

The Overview

Will Young has played 13 test matches for New Zealand where he has scored 582 runs at an average of 26.45. He has not been able to score a century in the longest format but has 6 half-centuries in test cricket. 

In ODI cricket Young has played 28 matches. He has 1024 runs to his name at an average of 40.96. The Kiwi has scored two centuries and 7 half-centuries with his best score being 120 in this format. Will Young has featured in 14 T20 Internationals for New Zealand. He has got 260 runs in those matches with a strike rate of 102.36, an area of concern. 

Will Young must strive to better his stats in test cricket and T20 cricket if he wants to be a permanent member of the Kiwi team in these formats as well.